ICAC drops further investigation into former deputy premier John Barilaro to answer over NYC job

Corruption investigator ICAC has dropped an investigation into the appointment of former NSW deputy premier John Barilaro to a senior trade role.

The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption has dropped an investigation into the controversial recruitment of former deputy premier John Barilaro to a $500,000 a year trade role based in New York.

“The investigation did not identify any evidence of corrupt conduct. As a result, the Commission has discontinued its investigation,” ICAC said in a statement on Monday.

The ICAC began its investigation last July into the recruitment of the Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner to the Americas, Mr Barilaro, former trade minister Stuart Ayres, senior public servant Amy Brown or any other public official.

ICAC has ended its investigation into John Barilaro appointment as Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner to the Americas. Picture: Gaye Gerard / NCA Newswire

During the investigation, the ICAC obtained information and documents from various sources and conducted interviews from witnesses in a number of compulsory examinations.

“The Commission does not propose taking any further action with respect to the matter.”

Last month, an upper house committee – dominated by Labor and the Greens – said Mr Barilaro’s appointment to the senior trade role had all the markings of a “job for the boys,” and lacked transparency and integrity.

Mr Barilaro resigned from the role before ever taking up the position when the news of his appointment broke and sparked outrage.

Mr Ayres was forced out of the ministry after concerns were raised over his involvement.

Two other investigations commissioned by Premier Dominic Perrottet cleared Mr Ayres of breaching the ministerial code.

However, the public accountability committee’s report handed down in December found had not been at arm’s length during the recruitment process for the STIC positions.

Mr Barilaro applied for the New York role after quitting parliament in late 2021.

Originally published as ICAC drops further investigation into former deputy premier John Barilaro to answer over NYC job